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Two Winterson’s actresses shine on stage as new productions launch

Last week two new stage productions launched featuring Winterson’s actresses in prominent roles. Frances McNamee opened alongside Kelsey Grammer in Big Fish at The Other Palace, while Evlyne Oyedokun also received her press night for The Cherry Orchard, which launched at Nottingham Playhouse.

Frances McNamee plays the role of Josephine in Big Fish, a musical production new to the West End starring US actor, Kelsey Grammer. Adapted from the much-loved book and Tim Burton movie, the show comes complete with a beautiful score by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa, and is praised in The Independent as a funny and thoughtful piece.

“I’m sure that Lloyd Webber is pleased with the music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, a seasoned American composer with Grammy and Tony nominations. The songs have a montage of styles from country to vaudeville, and much in between.”
★★★★ – The Independent

Evlyne Oyedokun plays the role of Anya in The Cherry Orchard at Nottingham Playhouse. The show portrays the end of an era as the landed gentry are superseded by the merchant class, while also hinting at even more radical upheavals to come in Russian society. It’s Chekhov’s last and greatest play, and this new version by Olivier Award‑winner Simon Stephens is both dynamic and profound, marking Giles Croft’s final production as Artistic Director at the venue.

“Simon Stephens’ direct, stripped-down version, first staged by Katie Mitchell at the Young Vic in 2014, is sharply colloquial and more bleak than elegiac. But Croft’s sensitive, finely-balanced revival captures both the pathos and the absurdity of an old order living beyond its means and sell-by date.”
★★★★ – The Stage

A huge congratulations to both Evlyne and Frances in the launch of two very different productions that have clearly caught the eye of the national and industry press.